Colon therapy device and applicator therefor



Feb. 28, 1939. H. E. DIERKER 2,148,541

COLON THERAPY DEVICE' ANDy APPJCATOR THEREFOR .Filed Dec. 10. 1935 .foLur/o/v comm/NERE [MM5/WOR HUGH E. D/ERKER 5y faul ArToR/vfx Patented Feb. 2s, 193e UNITED STATES ooLoN THERAPY DEVICE AND Armoaron rnnaEron nun E. maker, Los Angeles, ogm. Application December l0, 1935, Serial No. 53,747 Claims. (Cl. 12S-'227) My invention concerns colonic therapy apparatus and relates to an apparatus in which new and improved treating methods may be practiced, and also relates to a unique applicator for use with or as a part of colonic therapy apparatus. In my U. S. patent entitled Colon irrigator, No. 1,910,756, issued May 23, l1933, and in my U. S. patent entitled Method and apparatus for rehabilitating peristalsis of the colon", No. 2,024,961, issued December 17, 1935, I have,fully described certain colonic therapy apparatus which has gone into general use. My present invention of applicator is especially designed for use in connection .with or as a part of such apparatus, but l5 is likewise useful onother colonic therapy ap- Daratus. f

The object of my invention forming the subjectr"matter oi' this application is to provide an Iapplicator which is intended for general use but which m is particularly designed for use in treating with safety and effectiveness certain conditions for which other applicators are not entirely satisfactory; such, for example, as where the patient has a prolapsed rectum; that is, a rectum without suiiicient tonicity to preventits collapsing completely. When such patient is treated the outv-let opening or openings of the applicator which have been used prior to my invention are liable to be closed, thus preventing treatment from being properly administered and possibly injuring the rectal tissues. Also where the 'patient has hemorrhoids there is. danger of the hemorrhoidal protru'sions moving into the opening or openings of such prior .art applicators, either during the insertion or removal thereof, or while the applicator is in an inserted position in the rectum.

It. is 4anobject of my invention to provide an Y applicator made in a plurality of parts which are retained in a retracted4 position whilethe applicater is being inserted in the rectum and thereafter the parts are moved into an extended position sc that a relatively large outlet orice is provided. The applicator of my invention which i'ulills this object does not have any large open?. ings while the applicator .is being inserted. Therefore, trauma incident is less.

Another object ofmy inv'ention is to provide an applicator'which has a closure 'member which 50 closes or shields outlet opening of the applicator while=it is being inserted into the rectum and `wvhich ismovable into a relatively extended position to open the outlet orifice of the applicator.

'I'he closure member in the preferred form of my but also as an inlet or injection tip through which iluid may be introduced into the colon.

It is one of the objects of my invention to prol vide an applicator in which the parts are readily moved from retracted into extended position.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an applicator which is so designed as to effect a tight seal with the rectal sphincter so that pressure and vacuum may be applied to the colon without seepage, or drawing air into the rectum when using vacuum.

Another object of the invention is to provide an applicator in which the parts may be disassembled to expose all cavities thereof for ready and thorough sterilization.

Another object oi.' my invention is to provide a colonic therapy apparatus in which the colon or a portion thereof may be expanded and contracted while a continuous iiow o! -iluid flowing into and from the colon is maintained.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will bemade evident in the course of the following description of a preferred form of my invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which apparatus incorporating the features of my invention is illustrated.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the essential elements of the colonic therapy apparatus. of

my invention illustrating its use.

Fig. 2v is a sectional view. taken through the applicator of my invention. Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views ltaken on the lines 3-3 and 4-'4 of Fig: 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the inner end of the applicator with the parts in relatively extended positions.

Referring to the drawing in detail, I shall first .describe the applicator of my invention. The `applicator has a body II which provides an insertion portion or cylindrical portion I2. The body II iits over a tube I3 and theinner end of this cylindrical portion I2 is rolled as indicated at I4. The outer end of the cylindrical portion I2 is provided with av dilator I5 which consists of a conical shaped wall preferably formed integrally .with the cylindrical portion I2 and expanding or -prising the bodyII. The bodyII provides an outflow or ejection channel I8, the inner end of# which is provided with an outlet orice I9 which is located at the inner end of the cylindrical portion I2. The Y tting I1 is provided with an Cil outlet branch 20 to which an outlet hose 2I may be connected as shown. The outlet branch 20 is in communication with the outlet channel I8 through the passage 22 formed in the Y fitting I1. The other-,branch of the Y tting I1 is provided in the form of an inlet tube passage or bearing 24 to which an inlet hose 25 may be connected as shown.' The bearing 24 is`preferably arranged concentric to the outlet channel 'I8. Extending through the bearing 24 and the shields or closes it. The rounded end 30 of the closure member is slightly larger than the tapered part 2 9 and ,therefore acts as a rounded :nose which enables the applicator to be readily inserted when the parts are in retracted position. The closure member 28 has side passages 32 and an.v end passage 33 which are in. communication with the inlet channel 34 provided by the inlet tube 21, and these passages serve as a means whereby liquid maybe injected into th colon.

The outer end `of the inlettube 21 extends into the inlet hose 25 and has a head 35 removably secured on the end thereof. This head is rounded so that it may be caused to slide in the hose 25 without injury to the hose and its outer diameter is greater than the inner diameterof the hose in order that a tight seal will be formedbetween the head 35 and the hose.

In Fig. 2 full lines illustrate the retracted position ofthe inlet tube and parts associated tlierewith and dotted lines 31 illustrate the 4parts in extended position. The parts are moved from retracted to extended position by forcing the head 35 outwardly through the hose 25 toward the bearing 24. 'Ihis is readily done by squeezing the hose immediately adjacent the head 35 which causes the inlet tubing and the parts to be moved inwardly into extended position.

As illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. l, the inlet hose 25 is connected to an inlet `pipe 40 which is in turn' connected through exlble tubing 4I to a solution 'container 42. The inlet pipe 40 is provided with an inlet valve 43 having an operating lever 44 which has a closed position as illustrated in full lines and an open position as indicated by dotted lines 45. This inlet valve 43 is operative to control the ow of liquid into the colon. The outlet hose 2l is connected to an outlet pipe 41 which is extended to a drain (not shown). The outlet pipe 41 includes an outlet valve 48 having an operating lever 49 which has a closed position ,as illustrated by full lines and an open position as illustrated by dotted a pipe 54 as controlled by a valve 55 and through a small tube 56 to the interior of the outlet pipe 41. When the valve 55 is opened water under pressure flows into the outlet pipe 41, thus.

producing a suction which places a vacuum on the outlet pipe 41,' the' hose 2l, and through the applicator onk the colon.

In utilizing the invention the parts are connected as illustrated in Fig. 1. The solution container 42 is provided with the desired solution at the desired temperature. The applicator is then ready to be inserted in the colon of the patient. In Fig. 1 the numeral 59 represents the colon having the rectum 60 and a rectal sphincter 6I. When inserting the applicator the parts are positioned as shown in full lines in Fig. 2 in order that the outlet orice I9 will be closed. The only openings, therefore, in the applicator are the relatively small openings 32 and 33 which are so small that there is no-danger of any anjury being done to a patient having a prolapsed rectum or hemorrhoids. The body of the applicator is inserted until there is a iirm engagement between the rectal sphincterl and dilator I5 thereof. The distance that the applicator is inserted depends upon the patient,

and due to the shape of the dilater` it may be inserted to a position which is suitable to form a tight seal between the dilator I5 and the rectal sphincter 6I. After the body has been thus installed the technician then moves the inlet tube '21 and closure member into extended position,

' ment is then administered by operating the apparatus, using the care and skill to protect .the patient as particularly pointed out in my U. S. Patent No. 2,024,967. and the numerous details will not be referred to herein.

It will be seen that since the outlet crice is closed during the inserting of the applicator, there is absolutely no danger of injuring the patient and that by a simple adjustment of the parts the outlet orice is opened so that effective treatment may then be carried on.l When vtreating a patient having a prolapsed rectum it is necessary to hold the rectum from collapsing, otherwise there is danger of the rectum closing the outlet orifice and thus preventing treatment. This type of treatment is administered by opening the inlet valve 43 so as to supply liquid to the rectum 60. This expands the rectum into an expanded position. such as illustrated in Fig. 1,-so that the tissue or lwall of the rectum is held away from the inlet and particularly the outlet orice of the applicator. When the rectum has been thus expanded circulation may be maintained by opening the outlet valve 48. We then the outlet orifice I9, which is of a relatively large size,'through the applicator, the hose, and outlet to the drain.

My invention is particularly useful in the treating of prostatitus which consists of circu- 'lating a hot medicated solution in the rectal exercising of the colon and particularly the rectal portion thereof by alternate expansion and contraction while at the same'time maintaining a continuous flow of fluid which may continuously remove any freed fecal masses or encrustations. This type of treatment may be performed as follows: The outlet valve ,48 is opened a small amount in order to allow a small flow of liquid through the outlet. The inlet valve may be .opened to permitliquid to ow into the colon. By' watching the gauge 5I which 53 to produce a vacuum on the outlet of the apparatus. 'Ihis removes the liquid from the colon and produces a suction or vacuum thereon as will be registered by the gauge This suc-,- tion or vacuum imposed on the colon contracts the colon. However, during this phase of the treatment there is a small flow of solution flowing inwardly through the inlet so that a continuous flow is maintained. By repeating theoperation just outlined the colon will be alternately expanded and contracted so as to exerciseit, and at the same time there will be a continuous iiow of fluid through the rectal portion of the colon as pointed out heretofore.

It will be seen that the applicator may be used on other apparatus than that illustrated in Fig. 1 and may be used in performing other modes of treatment. Theapplicator, however, was particularly designed to solve certain problems outlined heretofore which existed in colonic therapy, and therefore includes many features and advantages over the prior art. y

I claim vas my invention:

l. In an applicator of the class described, the

Y combination of: a body providing an outlet channel and an outlet oridce at the inner end thereof; a closure member having a retracted position in which said orice'is closed 'and anv extended position; an inlet tube on which said closure member is mounted, extending through said body, whereby said closure member is moved between retracted and-extended position; an inlet hose 'connected to said body.; and

a. nendon the outer elia of said miei; tube and Vin retracted or extended rest'mg within said hose in engagement with the wall thereof.

2. In an applicator of the class described, the combination of: a body having an outlet channel, an outlet orifice at the inner end thereof, and a bearing at the outer end thereof aligned with said outlet channel; an inlet tube slidably supported by said bearing and projecting through said outlet channel, said inlet tube having a retracted and an extended position; an apertured closure member mounted on the inner end of said inlet tube,and closing said outlet orice when said inlet tube is in retracted position; an inlet hose connected to said bearing; and a head on the outer end of said inlet tube and resting in said hose in engage- -ment with the walls thereof for frictionally holding said inlet tube in retracted or extended position. v

3; In a colonic apparatus of the class described, the combination of: an applicator having anv inlet channel and an outlet channel adapted to be inserted into the rectal portion of the colon; and means for establishing a circulating flow of uid inwardly through said inlet channelxintosaid colon and outwardly through said outlet channel and for alternately expanding and contracting at least a part of said colon while said fluid is so circulating.

4. In an applicator of the classl described, the combination of: a body having an insertion portion shaped to'be inserted into the rectum,

and a dilator formed at the outer end of said insertion portion for extending into the rectal sphincter for forming a seal therewith, said body also having an outlet channel, an outlet orice at the inner end thereof, and a bearing at the outer end thereof aligned with said outlet channel; an inlet tube slidably supported by said bearing and projecting through said outlet channel, said inlet tube having a retracted and an extended position; an apertured closure member mounted on the inner end of said inlet tube, and closing said outlet orifice when said inlet tube is in `retracted position; an inlet hose connected to said bearing; and a head on the outer end of said inlet tube and resting in said hose in engagement with the walls thereof for frlctionally holding said inlet tube in retracted or extended position.

5. In an applicator of the class described, the combination of: a body having an outlet channel, anl outlet orifice at the inner end thereof, and a bearing at the outer end thereof aligned with said outlet channel; an inlet tube slidably supported by said bearing and projecting through said outlet channel, said inlet tube having a retracted and an extended position; an apertured closure member mounted on the inner end of said inlet tube, and closing said outlet orice when said inlet tube is in retracted position; and an inlet hose connected to said bearing, the outer end of said inlet tube resting in said hose in engagement with the walls thereof for frictionally'holding said inlet tube position.

HUGH E. DIERKER. 

